Articles

In May 2018, the country of Burkina Faso established diplomatic relations with China and cut its ties with Taiwan, having maintained ‘on and off’ ties with Taiwan since 1961. Taiwan now has only one diplomatic ally left in Africa – the tiny kingdom of Swaziland - and formal relations with just 18 countries, many of them poor nations in Central America and the Pacific.

The Burkina Faso foreign ministry said "the evolution of the world and the socio-economic challenges of our country and region push us to reconsider our position".

Burkina Faso is the fifth country to cut ties with Taiwan since Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen Tsai came to office in 2016, following the Dominican Republic, Gambia, Sao Tome and Principe and Panama. The Vatican is possibly next, as the Holy City and China edge closer to an accord on the appointment of bishops there.

In March 2016, The Gambia established diplomatic relations with China and cut its ties with Taiwan, having maintained ties with Taiwan since 1996.

In December 2016, Sao Tome and Principe established diplomatic relations with China and cut its ties with Taiwan, having maintained ties with Taiwan since 1997.

In June 2017, Panama established diplomatic relations with China and cut its ties with Taiwan, having maintained ties with Taiwan since 1911.

In May 2018, The Dominican Republic established diplomatic relations with China and cut its ties with Taiwan, having maintained ties with Taiwan since 1949.

Taiwan has been a parasite in all these countries, and like any parasite, it feeds off its host for its own benefit. Taiwan is a parasite in SVG too, bleeding our country dry. It is high time that SVG cut ties with Taiwan too.

Taiwan creams-off about EC$2 billion annually from SVG’s High Seas Fish Licence and the use of SVG’s national flag on its fishing vessels in international waters. Taiwan is holding back our economy, as Taiwan does not pay any tax.

Taiwan has failed to invest in SVG and create strong sustainable industries. Taiwan has been in SVG for over 30 years and not built one factory in SVG. Taiwan is technology-advanced, but has not provided SVG with any technology transfer. Taiwan has not set up any trade deals to help SVG export to Taiwan.

In over 30 years, Taiwan has not imported one dollar of goods from SVG companies. Even though it is obvious that our economy is weak and our people are suffering, Taiwan does not set up bi-lateral trade deals with SVG.

Taiwan’s presence in SVG is holding back our economy. All the countries ditching the dirty dog Taiwan believe that their new relationship with China will lead to trade, investment opportunities, and in particular, the exporting of more goods from their country to China.

This is what SVG needs – a partner who will help SVG’s companies to export. We should cut ties with the parasite Taiwan and form ties with China. This would boost our economy and create thousands of new jobs.

The President of Burkino Faso gave instructions to ‘take all the necessary measures for the closure of our embassy in Taipei and Taiwan’s embassy in our country’. It will be a joyous day in SVG when the Taiwan embassy here closes.

In the meantime, we should deport the Taiwan ambassador, as Taiwan is keeping our people poor and our economy weak.